White-Fronted Tern; Tara (Sterna striata)

Endemic.

 

The white-fronted tern may be seen on the beach or the mudflats. It hunts for fish in coastal waters or a short distance further out.

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The white-fronted tern is a medium-sized tern with a black cap on the crown and nape which is separated from the black beak by a strip of white. In non-breeding plumage there is more white between the beak and cap. The upperparts are grey, and the lower parts white. The long tail is white and forked.

 

The white-fronted tern fishes by diving for fish on the surface of the water.